Kelantan has said that imposing a blanket ban on marriage for those under 18 is currently “not suitable” for the state, citing existing social problems and the safeguards already in place for underage marriage applications.
According to Utusan Malaysia, Kelantan Islamic Development, Dakwah, Information and Regional Relations Committee chairman Mohd Asri Mat Daud said the state’s position is in line with Section 8 of the Islamic Family Law Enactment 2002, which has been retained under the 2025 enactment.
Says existing controls are already strict
Mohd Asri said the state’s decision took into account what he described as current social problems, as well as the strict mechanisms already governing underage marriages.
“The state government has also outlined a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for underage marriage applications.”
A special committee involving relevant stakeholders has also been established to look at the issue more comprehensively, based on Islamic law and public interest.
All parties, especially families, communities and government agencies, must continue strengthening cooperation.”
Federal govt wants minimum age set at 18 nationwide
The statement comes just days after Women, Family and Community Development Minister Nancy Shukri told Parliament that only Selangor and Kedah have amended their laws to set 18 as the minimum marriage age for Muslims.
Nancy said the federal government would continue working with state governments to harmonise the minimum age nationwide, but noted that Islamic family law falls under state jurisdiction.
Kelantan currently allows younger marriages with approval
Kelantan has previously retained the minimum marriage age at 18 for boys and 16 for girls, with marriages below those ages allowed in certain cases with approval under the state’s Islamic family law framework.
Mohd Asri said the state Syariah Judiciary Department continues to review and improve its guidelines based on current needs, research and professional views.
For now, Kelantan’s position is to keep the existing controlled approval system rather than impose a full ban on all marriages involving those under 18.
